• Home
  • Clinical Topics
    • Cardiovascular Disease
    • Diabetes
    • Hematology
    • Infectious disease
    • Mental health / PTSD
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain management
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Women’s health
  • Non-Clinical Topics
    • Legislation
    • Personnel
    • Policy
    • Research
    • Pharmacy Update
    • Technology
  • Special Issues
    • 2025 USM Directory
    • Advances in Treatment for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
    • Advances in Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
    • Advances in Treatment for Small Cell Lung Cancer
    • 2024 Compendium of Federal Medicine
  • Departments
    • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
    • Military Health System
    • Public Health Service
  • Opinion
  • Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • e-Newsletter Subscription
  • Contact Us

Study Finds Disparities in VA Prostate Cancer Care

by U.S. Medicine | Mar 14, 2022

African-American men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, but it remains unclear whether racial and ethnic disparities occur in equal-access settings at the national level.

Smoking After Lung Cancer Surgery Cuts Survival

by U.S. Medicine | Feb 11, 2022

Continuing to smoke after surgical treatment for lung cancer has a strong detrimental effect on overall survival, according to a new veterans’ study.

VA Demonstrates System’s Leadership in Blood Cancers at ASH

by Annette Boyle | Jan 11, 2022

VA researchers provided a glimpse of the department’s commitment to addressing blood cancers in veterans and taking a lead in the battle nationally at the 63rd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

ASH: Military Medicine Presents Research on Improving Blood Cancer Care

by Annette Boyle | Jan 10, 2022

Scientists from multiple military facilities made significant contributions to the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting here.

At the VA, the Biggest Challenge to Treating Blood Cancers Is Age

by Annette Boyle | Jan 10, 2022

As the nation’s largest healthcare system, the VA treats more individuals with hematological malignancies than any other organization in the United States.

Definition of Four SCLC Subtypes Hold Promise for Better Treatment

by U.S. Medicine | Dec 6, 2021

While small-cell lung cancer has traditionally been treated as a single entity with generally poor results, that might be changing.

Older Age, Insurance Status Often Linked to Refusal of SCLC Care

by U.S. Medicine | Dec 6, 2021

Even though fewer than 7% of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) survive five years after diagnosis, some patients continue to refuse treatment.

SCLC Survival Rates Better With Military Healthcare Than in General Community

by U.S. Medicine | Dec 6, 2021

Small-cell lung cancer patients receiving universal healthcare access, as in the U.S. military, had longer survival rates than similar patients in the U.S. general population, according to a new study.

Total Margin-Controlled Excision Best for Keratinocyte Carcinoma

by U.S. Medicine | Nov 17, 2021

The most common human malignancy is keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), which includes basal and squamous cell cancers.

Flush Out the Foe: Veterans Beat Cancer With Help From Their (Screening) PALS

by U.S. Medicine | Nov 9, 2021

Recognizing the substantially greater risk for lung cancer faced by veterans, the VA has aggressively ramped up its screening program to reach those at-risk wherever they are.

Identifying Vulnerabilities: Choosing the Best Treatments for Real Patients

by U.S. Medicine | Nov 9, 2021

The open secret about most clinical trials is that they are not particularly useful, at least not for patients and practicing physicians. Trials typically establish criteria that restrict participation to unusually healthy patients.

Know Your Enemy: Genomics Enables Targeted Strikes on Cancer

by U.S. Medicine | Nov 9, 2021

As every military strategist knows, winning a battle depends on knowing your adversary’s vulnerabilities. In the last decade, that same approach has transformed cancer therapy.

Understanding the Breath-Taking Lung Cancer Risks in Servicemembers, Veterans

by U.S. Medicine | Nov 9, 2021

OMAHA, NE—Lung cancer kills as many people in the United States as the next three most deadly cancers combined. This year, about 236,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease, and nearly 132,000 will die from it. As common as it is in the general population, lung...

For Veterans With Cancer, Teleoncology Offers High Patient Satisfaction

by Jennifer Marquez | Oct 26, 2021

Approximately 50,000 U.S. military veterans are diagnosed with cancer annually, representing 3% of all cancers across the nation.

Too Few Veterans Get Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy for Stage III NSCLC

by U.S. Medicine | Oct 5, 2021

Compared to the general U.S. population, VHA patients tend to be older, have lower levels of income and education and have a higher comorbidity burden.

Challenges in Optimizing Therapy for Older Veterans With Stage 1 NSCLC

by U.S. Medicine | Oct 5, 2021

According to a recent report, 30% of VHA patients qualified for lung cancer screening and reported at least two significant comorbidities.

Waiting More Than 12 Weeks for Surgery Can Be Risky for NSCLC Patients

by U.S. Medicine | Oct 5, 2021

A retrospective cohort study of 9,904 VHA patients with clinical Stage I NSCLC determined that surgical procedures delayed more than 12 weeks from the date of radiographic diagnosis were associated with increased risk of recurrence and worse overall survival.

NAFLD Is Dramatically Growing Cause of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

by U.S. Medicine | Aug 15, 2021

SINGAPORE – The worldwide prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related hepatocellular carcinoma is expected to increase in line with the growing obesity epidemic. NAFLD already is the fastest-growing cause of the liver cancer in the United States, France and...

Benefit Found for Testing Veterans With Hepatitis B for Liver Cancer

by U.S. Medicine | Aug 15, 2021

SEATTLE, WA – The most common risk factors worldwide for liver cancer are chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, according to the American Cancer Society. Both of those infections lead to cirrhosis of the liver, but, in the United States, ...

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis Delays Common for Veterans with Cirrhosis

by U.S. Medicine | Aug 15, 2021

HOUSTON – What factors are behind delays in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in veterans who have cirrhosis of the liver? A recent study examined the frequency of delayed diagnosis and the factors involved in a cohort of VHA cirrhosis patients. Results were...

Intensive Glycemic Control Not Eye-Protective in Advanced Diabetes

by U.S. Medicine | Aug 10, 2021

Intensive glycemic control (INT) does not appear to have a protective effect when it comes to required eye procedures in patients with advanced diabetes.

VA Cancer Chief on a Mission to Increase Precision Oncology Use

by Stephen Spotswood | Aug 10, 2021

Michael Kelley, MD, is on a mission, speaking to VA physicians across the country, spreading the word about precision oncology.

ICPI Add-On to Chemotherapy Continues to Improve SCLC Survival Rates

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 27, 2021

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 14.6% of veterans enrolled for VHA care reported being a current cigarette smoker in 2018.

Corticosteroids Don’t Appear to Affect Treatment Response in SCLC

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 27, 2021

Does corticosteroid use affects treatment response to chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (CICPIs) in some types of advanced lung cancer.

Inherited Predisposition Could Change Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 27, 2021

A new study involving federal medicine researchers raised the question of whether small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an inherited predisposition. The answer is important because it opens the possibility of using targeted therapies based on the genes involved.

Prostate Cancer Care at VA Changed Significantly in Last Decade

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 12, 2021

Over the past decade, how prostate cancer is detected and treated at VA healthcare facilities has changed gradually but significantly.

VA’s Tele-Oncology Services Proved Beneficial During COVID-19 Shutdowns

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 12, 2021

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, 2,749 face-to-face visits for medical oncology and 5,093 visits for radiation oncology occurred at the Ann Arbor, MI, VAMC from June 2019 to December 2019.

For Veterans with CLL, More Options Mean More Hope

by Annette Boyle | Jul 12, 2021

Over the last decade, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved 19 new drugs or combinations to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

CLL Survival Is Steadily Improving, but Adverse Effects Remain Challenging

by U.S. Medicine | Jul 12, 2021

As with most cancer, overall survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia has steadily risen over the past two decades. New agents play an important role in that improvement, but they also require additional training and close attention to different types of adverse effects.

Herpes Zoster Common in Younger Veterans with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

by Annette Boyle | Jul 12, 2021

A diagnosis of cancer of any type is terrifying. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia may be better than most, with many CLL patients able to manage the disease with regular monitoring for years or even decades.

Subscribe to the print edition of U.S. Medicine

U.S. Medicine is mailed free each month to physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and administrators working for Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and Indian Health Service.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive the U.S. Medicine e-Newsletter

Stay informed about federal medical news, clinical updates and reports on government topics for the federal healthcare professional.

 Sign Up

  • For Advertisers
  • e-Newsletter
  • Subscribe to U.S. Medicine Print Publication
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy